If you had to name one song you learned as a child, what would that song be?
For many people that song would be Yes, Jesus loves me. Whether it was vacation Bible school or in a Sunday school class, those who grew up around church related activities are familiar with the song, Yes, Jesus loves me. Its simple words entail some great truths that are not diminished by time. Though many years have passed since many of us have sung those words as children, we still know them because they are engraved in our spirit. We hold the simple words of the song with a sacred trust and endearment that is equaled only by our love and respect for those persons who taught us the simple words and lived them in front of us.
Do you remember the words? Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. For the Bible tells me so.
The words to the simple song are over 140 years old. Millions of children have sung these words around the world as they have been translated into thousands of languages. The song was written by Anna Warner, the daughter of a wealthy New York City lawyer. When he lost most of his fortune in the 1837 depression, the family was forced to move to a home on Constitution Island in the Hudson River. It was then that Anna and her sister Susan began writing to earn money. Among the first songs she wrote what the words to this little song. In her hard times and difficult moments her simple statement of truth was sold to make ends meet. As if God himself had blessed the words, her family was able to survive and millions of others since that time have been encouraged by the words of this hymn, Yes, Jesus loves me.
The person who teaches this song to children teaches the more than just a song. They teach them a personal belief that is reflected in the life they live and in the testimony they give. A child learns the words to the song, and then looks to the teacher for life examples of what the song means.
As Christians, we rejoice in the fact that God loves us. His love transcends our weaknesses and shortcomings. We know this because the Bible tells us so.